<T.  /2.o5" 


Srom  f0e  £ifirar£  of 

(professor  ^amuef  (ttttffer 

in  (tttemorfc  of 

3tibge  ^amuef  (ttttffer  QBrecninrtbge 

(preeenfeb  fig 

^gamuef  (Jttiffer  QjSrecftinribge  &on$ 

fo  f^e  feifirarj?  of 

(prtncefon  Cfleofo^tcaf  ^emtnatj 


I 


/±frirvU>7  ?%#?*?*<.*    Jit***** 


A 

SERMON, 

Delivered  at  ©aleitl,  in  New-Hampshire^ 
January  4,   1797,  / 

R  D  I  N A    'ION 


44 

AT    TH8 


OF    THS 

Rev.  joljn  g>mity,  a.  b: 

TO    THE 

WORK    of  the    MINISTRY 
IN  THAT  PLACB. 


^ 


by  Batfjamel  Cmmons,  a.m: 

Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Franklin, 
Massachusetts. 


printed  by  <$ZQV#Z  if)0Ug!),   at  CONCORD. 


M.  DCC.  XCVII. 


A  N 

ORDINATION  SERMON,  &c. 


EZEKIEL  II.  8. 


Mt  tljott,  fan  of  man,  fceat  in^at  %  fai>  unto 
tf)ee :  Be  not  tf;ou  rebellious  like  tfjat  re* 
Ibelltous  Ijoufe* 

JL  HE  children  of  Ifrasi  were  once  holi- 
nefs  to  the  Lord,  and  the  firft  fruits  of  his  increafe; 
They  ferved  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  Jofhua,  and 
all  the  days  of  the  Elders  that  outlived  Joihua. 
But  ever  after  that  memorable  period,  they  began 
to  lofe  the  fpirit  of  religion,  and  became  more  and 
more  corrupt,  until  they  were  carried  into  captiv- 
ity, as  a  juft  punidiment  for  their  deep  declenfion. 
In  this  deplorable  fituation,  they  continued  to  har- 
den themfelves  in  fin,  and  to  pine  away  in  their 
iniquities,  until  every  appearance  of  fpiritual  life 
was  gone.  Then  God  was  pleafed  to  fend  Ezekiel 
to  prophefy  over  the  valley  of  dry  bones,  in  order, 
to  raife  them  from  fpiritual  death  to  fpiritual  life. 
And  to  prepare  him  for  his  arduous  tafk,  he  fore- 
warned him  of  his  danger,  and  charged  him  to 
guard  againft  it.  "  Son  of  man,  I  fend  thee  to  the 
children  of  Ifrael.     Be  not  afraid  of  them,  though 

briars 


%  an  ^fltnatum  SERMON. 

briars  and  thorns  be  with  thee,  and  thou  doft  dwell 
among  fcorpions ;  be  not  afraid  of  their  words, 
nor  be  difmayed  at  their  looks,  though  they  be  a 
rebellious  houfe.  And  thou  fhalt  fpeak  my  words 
unto  them,  whether  they  will  hear,  or  whether  they 
will  forbear;  for  they  are  mosl  rebellious.  But 
thou,  fan  of  man,  hear  what  I  fay  unto  thee  :  Be 
not  thou,  rebellious  like  that  rebellious  houfe." 
This  was  the  fame  as  to  fay,  I  know  the  degeneracy 
of  the  times.  I  know  the  corruption  and  obstinacy  of  the 
people.  J  know  they  will  slop  their  ears  and  harden 
their  hearts  againsl  divine  truth.  And  I  know,  that 
for  this  purpofe,  they  will  ufe  every  method,  by  words 
and  looks,  to  corrupt  your  heart,  poijon  your  fentiments, 
and  destroy  your  influence.  But  I  warn  you  to  beware 
of  men  •,  and  never  fuffer  yourfelf  to  be  corrupted  by 
thofe,  whom  you  arefent  to  reprove  and  reform.  This 
divine  caution  applies  to  all  who  are  called  to  bear 
the  mefiages  of  God  to  men  *,  and  naturally  leads 
us,  on  this  occafion,  to  (hew, 

I.  That  Minifters  are  expofed  to  be  corrupted 
by  the  people  :  And, 

II.  That  it  is  their  indifpenfable  duty  to  guard 
againft  it. 

I.     Let  us  confider,  that  Minifters  are  expofed 
to  be  corrupted  by  the  people. 

Though  this  be  a  very  humiliating  truth  to  Mi- 
nifters as  well  as  people,  yet  let  us  attend  to  the 

evidence 


an  ^ttn'nattmt  sermon.  5 

evidence  of  it,  with  ferioufnefs  and   impartiality. 
And  here  I  would  obferve, 

1.  That  Minifters  have  hew  corrupted  by  the 
people.  This  was  the  unhappy  cafe  of  Aaron. 
While  Mofes  was  detained  on  the  Mount,  the 
people  were  uneafy,  and  came  to  Aaron,  and  de-; 
fired  him  to  make  them  an  idol.  Tho'  he  knew; 
that  he  had  no  right  to  comply  with  this  unreason- 
able requeft,  yet  he  finally  yielded  to  the  importu-; 
nity  of  the  people,  and  made  them  a  golden  god; 
Accordingly,  when  Mofes  returned  and  reproved 
him  for  his  conduct,  he  made  no  other  excufe  than 
the  preffing  importunity  of  the  people.  "  And 
Mofes  faid  unto  Aaron,  What  did  this  people  un- 
to thee,  that  thou  haft  brought  fo  great  a  fin  upon 
them  ?"  This  very  queftion  carries  an  implication, 
that  Aaron  was  corrupted.  "  And  Aaron  faid, 
Lc:  not  the  anger  of  my  lord  wax  hot  °.  thou  know- 
eft  the  people,  that  they  are  fet  on  mifchief.  For 
they  faid  unto  me,  Make  us  gods  which  lhall  go 
before  us  %  for  as  for  this  Mofes,  the  man  that 
brought  us  up  out  of  Egypt,  we  wot  not  what  is 
become  of  him."  This  was  a  bafe  infinuation  to 
the  diihonour  of  Mofes,  and  an  artful  addrefs  to 
the  vanity  of  Aaron,  which  was  exactly  fuited  to 
corrupt  his  heart,  and  draw  him  from  the  path  cf 
duty.  The  event  anfwered  the  defire  and  expecta- 
tion of  thofe  who  were  fet  on  mifchief ;  for  Aaron 

was 


6  an  <&rtrtnatftm  sermon: 

was  corrupted,  and  became  "  rebellious  like  that 
rebellious  houfe."  The  fame  thing  happened  to 
the  tons  and  fucceffors  of  Aaron  ;  for  we  find  that 
they  were  always  corrupt,  when  the  people  were 
corrupt.  There  was  a  great  degeneracy  in  the 
time  of  the  Judges,  when  every  man  did  what  was 
right  in  his  own  eyes  j  and  that  day  of  declenfion 
proved  a  day  of  temptation  to  the  Priefti,  who 
were  carried  away  by  the  flream  of  corruption.—- 
When  Afa  came  to  the  throne,  we  are  told,  that 
**  for  a  long  feafon  Ifrael  had  been  without  the  true 
God,  and  without  a  teaching  Prieff."  A  great  num- 
ber of  the  Priefts  were  actually  put  down,  in  the 
reign  of  Jofiah,  becaufe  they  had  fallen  into  the 
degeneracy  of  the  times,  i^nd  at  the  reformation* 
in  Hczekiah's  day9  there  was  fuch  a  fcarcity  of 
awcorrupted  Prisftj,  that  the  Levites  were  called 
in  to  afilft  them  in  the  difcharge  of  their  office.-- 
Indeed,  it  was  fo  common  for  the  Priefts  to  be  in- 
volved in  the  corruption!  of  the  peop!e3  that  God 
generally  reproved  them  both  together.  By  Jere* 
miah  he  fays,  "  A  wonderful  and  horrible  thing  is 
committed  in  the  land  :  The  Prophets  prophefy 
falfely,  and  the  Priefts  bear  rule  by  their  means  § 
and  my  people  loye  to  have  it  fo.*'  By  the  fame 
Prophet  he  fays  again,  that  he  would  remove  Je- 
ruialem  from  before  his  face,  "  Becaufe  of  all  the 
evil  of  the  children  of  Ifrael,   and   of  the  children 

of  Judah,  which  they  have  done  to  provoke  me  to 

anger, 


an  $rtrinatton  sermons  7 

anger,  they,  their  kings,  their  princes,  and  their 
Priefts."  By  Ezekiel  he  fays  of  Judea,  "  Her 
Priefts  have  violated  my  law,  and  have  profaned 
my  holy  things ;  they  have  put  no  difference  be- 
tween the  holy  and  profane,  neither  have  (hewed 
difference  between  the  unclean  and  the  clean."  By 
Micah  he  fays  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  "  The  heads 
thereof  judge  for  reward,  and  the  Priefts  thereof 
teach  for  hire,  and  the  Prophets  thereof  divine  for 
money.*'  By  Zepheniah  he  fays  of  the  opprefllng 
city,  "  She  obeyed  not  the  voice,  flie  received  not 
correction  :  me  trufted  not  in  the  Lord,  fne  drew 
not  near  her  God  :  her  princes  within  her  are  roarJ 
ing  lions,  her  judges  are  ravening  wolves :  her 
Prophets  are  light  and  treacherous  perfons ;  her 
Priefts  have  polluted  the  fancluarys  they  have  dons 
violence  to  the  law." 

Now  if  the  Priefts  were  always  corrupt  when  the 
people  were  corrupt,  then  it  is  natural  to  conclude, 
that  they  were,  in  fome  meafure  at  leafl,  corrupted 
by  the  people.  But  we  are  not  left  to  mere  con- 
jecture in  this  cafej  for  God  himfelf  complains  of 
rhe  people  for  being  always  difpofed  to  corrupt 
their  teachers.  "  I  brought  you  up  from  the  land 
of  Egypt,  and  led  you  forty  years  through  the  wil- 
dernefs,  to  poffefs  the  land  of  the  Amorite.  And 
I  raifed  up  of  your  fons  for  Prophets,  and  of  your 
young  men  for  Nazarites.  Is  it  not  even  thu?, 
P  ye  children  of  Ifrael  ?   faith  the  Lord.     But  ye 

gave 


s  an  limitation  sermon; 

gave  the  Nazarites  wine  to  drink,  and  commanded 
the  Prophets,  faying,  Prophefy  not."  They  meant 
to  corrupt  the  friends  of  virtue,  and  the  Minifters 
of  religion,  on  purpofe  to  deftroy  the  influence  of 
their  example,  and  the  force  of  their  inftru&ions 
and  admonitions :  And  they  very  rarely  failed  of 
accompliftiing  their  malignant  purpofe.  The  ex- 
perience of  ages,  therefore,  loudly  proclaims,  that 
Minifters  are  expofed  to  be  drawn  from  their  duty, 
and  involved  in  moral  corruption,  by  the  undue 
influence  of  the  peop'.e. 

2.     The  bare  example  of  the  people,  in  a  day 
of  declcnfion,    has  a  natural  tendency    to  corrupt 
Minifters.     Moral  corruption  is  contagious,   and 
endangers  all  who  are  obliged  to  come  within  the 
fphere  of  its  influence.     When  the  people  become 
cold  and  dull,   and  averfe    from  every  thing  of  a 
religious  nature,   Minifters  are  apt  to  imbibe  and 
manifeft  the  fame  fpirit.     When  the  people  become 
light  and  vain  in  their  converfation,  Minifters  are 
apt  to  countenance  and  imitate  their  levity.     WThen 
the  people  grow  rich  and  gay  and  luxurious,  Mi- 
nifters are  apt  to  fall  into  the  fame  loofe  and  cor- 
rupt habits.     When  the  people  indulge  thcmfelvss 
in  idlenefs,  difiipation,  and  vain  ajnufements,  Mi- 
nifters  are  apt  to  be  allured  into  their  company, 
and  become  patrons   and  partakers   of   their  fins. 
And  when  the  people  become  loofe  in  their  fenti- 

ments,  and  will  not  endure  found  do&rine,  Minif- 
ters 


an  #rfctnatt0u  sermon.  9 

tcrs  are  apt  to  conceal  or  pervert  the  great  troth* 
of  the  gofpel,  and  preach  fniooth  things,  to  fecure 
the  applaufe  and  friendship  of  the  enemies  of  truth: 
The  day  of  degeneracy  is  a  day  of  danger  to  Mi- 
nifters.  The  prevailing  fpirit  and  practice  of  the 
times,  naturally  tend  to  cool  their  zeal,  weaken 
their  virtue,  and  injure  both  the  matter  and  man^ 
ner  of  their  preaching,—  But  though  they  are  ex- 
pofed  to  be  corrupted  by  the  bare  example  of  the 
people,  yer, 

3.     They  are  in  much  greater  danger  of  being 
corrupted,   by  the  pofitive  endeavours  and  exer- 
tions of  the  people  to  draw  them  into  fin.     A  cor« 
rupt  people  feel  themfdves  obliged   to  take  this 
courfe,  in  order  to  refill  the  energy  of  plain  and 
faithful  preaching.     They  know  the  power  of  di- 
vine truth,  the  force  of  pious  example,  and  the  in» 
fluence  of  godly  Minifters :     and  tbey  feel  unable 
to  (land  before  thefe  united  means  of  conviction: 
To  prevent,  therefore,  the  pains  of  a  wounded  con- 
fcience,   they  endeavour,  by  various  methods,  to 
bring  Minifters  over  to  their  own  fide,   and  form 
them  agreeably  to  their  own   tafte.      Some   treat 
them  with  peculiar  refpect,  and  flatrer  their  Vanity, 
to  make  them  more  yielding  and  compliant.  Some 
load  them  with  kindnefs,  and  endeavour  to  draw 
them  afide,  by  the  powerful  cords  of  intereft.  Some 
invite  them  to  their  houses,    and  into  their  compa- 
ny, and  urge  them  to  fmaU  and  feemingly  harmlefa 
8  compliances, 


io  am  ^rfcmatum  sermon; 

compliances,  and  (o  take  advantage  of  their  weak- 
nefs,  And  fome  ufe  more  harfh  and  imperious 
methods,  and  attempt  to  frighten  them  from  their 
virtue  and  integrity. 

Such  methods  as  ihefe,    we  find  the  children  of 

Ifrael  often  employed,   to  corrupt  thofe  who  were 

Tent  to  them   as  meflengers  of  the  Lord  of  Hofts. 

Sometime*  they  attacked  their  virtue  and  innocence, 

"  by  giving  them   wine  to  drink."     Sometimes 

"  they  faid  to  the  feers,See  not;  and  to  the  prophets, 

Prophcfy  not  unto  us  right  things,   fpeak  unto  us 

fmooth  things,  prophcfy  deceits  :     Get  out  of  the 

way,   turn  aiide  out  of  the  path,  caufe  the  Holy 

One  of  Ifrael  to  ceafe  from  before  us."    Sometimes 

they  threatened  their  Prophets    with  the  terror  of 

their  tongues  :     «*  Come,  faid  they,  let  us  devife 

devices  againft  Jeremiah,  and  let  us  fmite  him  with 

the  tongue,   and  let  us  not  give  heed  to  any  of  his 

words."     Sometimes  they  employed  their  frowning 

looks  as  well  as  hard  words,  to  deter  their  teachers 

from  their  duty,  and   make  them  rebellious   like 

themfelves.     And  fometimes  "  they  commanded 

their  prophets,  faying,  Prophefy  not."  This  rough 

method  Amasiali  ufed  to  filence  the  prophet  Amos. 

"  Amaziah  faid  unco  Amos,  O  thou  feer,  go,  flee 

thee  away    into  the  land  of  Judah,  and  there  eat 

bread,  and  prophefy  there:  But  prophefy  not  again 

any  more  in  B?th  el :    for  it  is  the  king's  chapel, 

and  it  is  the  king's  court."     And  the   council  at 

Jerufalem 


ah  (^r&tnaiujtt  sermon. 


ii 


Jerufale m  laid  the  fame  imperious  prohibition  up. 
on  the  Apoftles.  Afcer  mature  deliberation,**  they 
called  them  in,  and  commanded  them  not  to  fpeak 
at  all  nor  teach  in  the  name  of  Jefus."  Jews  and 
Gentiles  are  the  fame  by  nature,  and  therefore  our 
Lord  taught  his  Mi nifteri  to  exped  the  fame  treat- 
ment from  the  Gentiles,  which  the  Prophets  had 
received  from  the  Jews,  "  BltiTsd  are  ye,  when 
men  (hall  revile  you  and  perfecute  you,  and  fay  all 
manner  of  evil  againft  you  falfely  for  my  fake:  for 
fo  perfecuted  they  the  Prophets  which  were  before 
you."  The  conduct  of  both  Jews  and  Gentiles 
towards  the  Minifters  of  religion,  is  a  dsmonftra- 
tion  of  the  natural  difpoBtion  of  mankind,  to  ufe 
every  method  in  their  power  to  corrupt  the  hearts 
and  deftroy  the  influence  of  thofe  who  are  fent  to 
inftruct  and  reclaim  them.— — We  are  sH  by  this 
time  convinced,  I  prefunie,  that  Minifters  are  ex- 
pofsd  to  be  corrupted  by  the  people.— But  if  they 
arc  expofed  to  this  danger,  thzn9 

II.  It  is  their  indifpenfable  dujy  to  guard  againft* 
it.     Son  of  man,  bear  what  I  fay  unto  tbes:     Be  not 
thou  rebellious  like  that  rebellious  boufe. 

It  is  the  dictate  of  common  fenfe,  that  every  man 
ought  to  avoid  every  danger,  which  he  knows, 
and  which  he  is  able  to  avoid.  Miniftcrs  know  the 
danger  of  being  corrupted  5  and  they  are  all  able 
to  guard  againft  it.  This  appears  from  the  con- 
duel: 


li  an  ^ttrinattan  sermon. 

due!  of  many,  who  have  gone  before  them,  in  de- 
livering the  meflagesof  God  to  men.     The  faith- 
ful Prophets  and  Prieftr,  as  well  as  pious  Apoftles, 
felt  their  expofedoefs  to  the  frowns  and  flatteries  of 
the  world ;  but  they  nobly  rcfifted  every  effort  to 
allure  or  to  awe  them  from  their  duty.    The  Pro- 
phet Samuel,   who  was  early  called  to  deliver  the 
meflfages  of  God  to  Ifrael,  faithfully  difcharged  his 
office,  and  maintained  his  innocence  and  integrity 
to  the  laft.     Though  he  lived  in  a  day  of  declen. 
fion,  and  the  people  were  weary  of  the  divine  go^ 
vernment  \  yet  he  would  never  yield  to  their  cor- 
rupt inclinations,  any  further   than   God  allowed 
him  to  gratify  their  wilhes :    So  that  he  was  able, 
jud  before  his  death,  to  make  the  moft  (olemn  ap- 
peal to  their  confeiences,  that  he  had  walked  up- 
rightly before  them  all  the  days  of  his  life.     Eli- 
jah fingly  and  nobly   refitted   the  frowns  of  the 
people,  the  reproach  of   the   Prophets,   and   the 
wrath  of  the  king.     Jeremiah  was  furrounded  by 
enemies,  who  threatened  to  defame  his  character, 
and  to  deftroy  his  life,  unkfs  he  would  forbear  to 
reprove  them  for  their  fins,  and  admonim  them  of 
their  danger :  Bat  he  bravely  defpifed  their  threats, 
and  faithfully  difcharged  his  duty.     And  the  pri- 
mitive Preachers  of  the  gofpel  difplayed  no  lefs 
magnanimity   and  firmnefe,   in  the  courfe  of  their 
miniilry.     When  Peter  and  John   were  commanded 

act 


an  ^rtjumtton  sermon.  ij 

not  to  preach  in  the  name  of  Jefus,   by  the  moft 
dignified  character  in  the  Jewifh  nation,  they  bold- 
ly  replied,  "  Whether  it  be  right   in  the  fight  of 
God  to  hearken  unto  you   more  than  unto  Godft 
judge  ye  •     For  we  cannot  but  fpeak  the  things 
which  we  have  feen  and  heard."    But  Paul   met 
with  the  mod  opposition  ;   and  accordingly  mani- 
fefted  the  moft  chriftian  fortitude  and  fidelity  in 
preaching   the  gofpel.     "  Do  I,"  fays  he  to  the 
Galatians,  *'  Do  I  now  perfuade  men,   or  God  ? 
Or  do  I  feek  to  pleafe  men  ?     For  if  I  yet  pleated 
men,  I  ihould  not  be  the  fervant  of  Chrift."     He 
allures  the  Thefialonians,  that  he  had  made  it  his 
maxim  as  a  Minifter,  to  pleafe  God  rather  than 
men,  "  But  as  we  were  allowed  of  God  to  be  put 
in  truft  with  the  gofpel,  even  fo  wc  fpeak,  not  as 
pleafing  men,  but  God  which  trieth  our  hearts.9! 
The  conduct  of  thefe  faithful  fervants  of  God, 
gives  us  clear  and  ftriking  evidence,  that  Minifters 
are  able,  and  therefore  ought,  to  guard  againft  all 
the  peculiar  dangers  of  their  office.     And  to  im- 
prefs  this  plain  and  practical  duty  the  more  deeply 
on  our  minds,  I  would  obferve, 

i.  That  God  has  expreftly  commanded  Mi- 
nifters, to  guard  againft  the  attempts  of  thofe  who 
would  corrupt  their  hearts,  and  draw  them  afide 
from  the  path  of  duty.  His  command  to  Ezckiel 
on  this  fubjeft,  is  extremely  pointed  and  folemn  : 

t  Son 


i4  an  ^r&mattmt  sermon. 

«•  Son  of  man,  I  fend  thee  to  the  children  of  Ifrael; 
Be  not  afraid  of  them,  though  briars  and  thorns 
be  with  thee,  and  thou  doft  dwell  among  fcorpi- 
ons  :  be  not  afraid  of  their  words,  nor  be  difmayed 
at  their  looks,  though  they  be  a  rebellious  houfe. 
And  thou  (halt  fpeak  my  words  unto  them,  whe- 
ther they  will  hear,  or  whether  they  wilt  forbear  j 
for  they  are  mosJ  rebellious.  But  thou%  fon  of  man, 
hear  what  I  fay  unto  thee :  Be  not  thm  rebellious 
like  that  rebellious  houfe.3'— Very  fimiiar  to  this^ 
is  the  command  which  Chrift  gave  to  his  Apoftles, 
and  to  all  their  fucceffbrs  in  the  miniftry.  "  Be- 
hold, I  fend  you  forth  as  flieep  in  the  midft  of 
wolves ;  be  ye  therefore  wife  as  ferpents,  and  harm- 
lefs  as  doves.  Beware  of  mm"-?  Thefe  comman  ds 
from  God  the  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift, 
bind  all  the  Minifters  of  the  gofpel  to  guard  againft 
the  peculiar  dangers  of  their  facred  office,  and  to 
repel  every  temptation  to  unfaithrulnefs.  It  is  their 
indifpenfable  duty,,  therefore,  to  view  mankind  ins 
the  light  in  which  the  great  Searcher  of  hearts  has 
represented  them,  and  to  be  as  careful  to  avoid 
their  corrupting  inflaence,  as  they  would  be  to 
avoid  the  jaws  of  a  wolf,  or  the  poifan  of  a/fcor- 
pion. 

2.  They  will  forfeit  the  divine  prefence  and 
protection,  if  they  fofter  themfclves  to  be  corrupt- 
ed 3   and  therefore  it  is  their  indifpenfable  duty  to 

guard 


an  mnixmUtm  sermon:  is 

guard  againft  it.  While  they  continue  faithful  to 
God,  and  plainly  deliver  his  mefiages  to  men,  he 
has  gracioufly  promifed  to  be  wirh  them,  and  to 
preserve  them  from  the  power  of  their  enemies.— 
Upon  this  condition,  he  promifed  to  ftrengthen 
and  fopport  his  prophet  Ezekicl.  "  Son  of  man, 
go,  get  thee  unto  the  houfe  of  Ifrael,  and  fpeak 
with  my  words  unto  them.  Behold,  I  have  made 
thy  face  ftrong  againft  their  faces,  and  thy  fore- 
head ftrong  againft  their  foreheads.  As  an  adamant, 
harder  than  flinr3  have  I  made  thy  forehead  :  fear 
them  nor,  neither  be  difmayed  at  their  looks,  tho* 
they  be  a  rebellious  houfe."— The  fame  promife  of 
fopport  he  gave  to  Jeremiah,  on  the  fame  condi- 
tion. ct  Be  not  afraid  of  their  faces  :  for  I  am 
with  thee,  to  deliver  thee,  faith  the  Lord.  Behold, 
I  have  made  thee  this  day  a  defcnced  city,  and  an 
Iron  piiiar,  and  brazen  wails  againft  the  whole  land, 
againft  the  kings  of  Judah,  againft  the  princes 
thereof  againft  che  Priesls  thereof,  and  againft  the 
people  of  the  land.  And  they  mail  Sght  againft 
thee j  but  they  Jhall  not  prevail  againft  thee:  for 
I  am  with  thee,  faith  the  Lord,  to  deliver  thee."  — 
Chrift  aifo  gracioufly  promifes  to  be  with  his  Mi- 
oifters,  fo  long  as  they  ftri&ly  adhere  to  his  precepts 
and  appointments*  "  Go  ye  therefore  and  teach 
all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Fa* 
ther,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghcft  5 
teaching  cheerio  obferve  all  things  whatfoever  I 

have 


iS  an  grUftiatfon  SERMON. 

have  commanded  you.     And  lo,  I   am  with  you 

always." Thefe  gracious  promifes   are  all  con* 

ditional,  and  are  fo  explained  by  God  himfelf.  He 
fays  to  Jeremiah,  "  Thou,  therefore,  gird  up  thy 
loins,  and  arife,  and  fpeak  unto  them  all  that  I 
command  thee  :  be  not  dilmayed  at  their  faces  5 
left  I confound  thee  before  them"  And  this  awful 
threatening,  God  tells  the  corrupt  Priefts  in  the 
days  of  Malachi,  he  had  actually  executed  upon 
them.  «'  Therefore  have  I  alfo  made  you  con- 
temptible and  bafe  before  all  the  people,  according 
as  ye  have  not  kept  my  ways,  but  have  been  partial 

in  the  law." Now,  Minifters  have  great  reafon 

to  defire  the  divine  prefence  and  protection  5  for 
if  God  be  with  them,  who  can  be  againft  them  ? 
And  they  have  as  much  reafon  to  fear  his  departure 
and  difpleafure  ;  for  if  God  be  againft  them,  who 
can  btfor  them  ?  This  ferious  and  weighty  con- 
^deration  ought  to  make  them  extremely  careful, 
to  regard  God  more  than  men  •,  and  never  incur  bis 
difpleafure,  in  order  to  gain  the  favour,  or  to  avoid 
the  frowns,  of  their  fellow  worms. 

3.  If  Minifters  fuffer  themfelves  to  be  corrupt- 
ed by  the  people,  it  deftroys  their  ufefuinefs.  If 
they  imbibe  the  fpirit  of  the  people,  and  feel  as 
they  feel ;  if  they  follow  the  example  cf  the  peo- 
ple, and  conduct  as  they  conduct ;  or  if  they  con- 
descend to  preach  faiooth  things   to   pleafe   the 

people  \ 


an  ^rfcfaatton  sermon.  17 

people  j  they  will  totally  deftroy  their  minifterial 
ufsfulnefs :  For,  as  foon  as  the  people  perceive,' 
that  they  regard  them  more  than  Godt  and  will 
proiiitute  their  confidences  to  gratify  their  unrea- 
sonable defires,  they  will  defpife  their  perfons,  and 
neglect  their  preaching.  Timeferving  Minifter* 
generally  have  but  few  hearers.  All  men,  whether 
good  or  bad,  inwardly  defpife  loofe  and  unprinci- 
pled Minifies,  let  their  talents  be  What  they  may. 
And  the  fame  degree  of  criminality,  which  would 
be  fcarcely  obfervable  in  other  men,  is  fufficicnt 
to  deftroy  the  character  and  ufefulnefs  of  thofe 
who  fuftain  the  facred  office  of  the  Miniftry.  No 
men  are  (o  completely  ufelefs  and  contemptible, 
as  thofe  Ministers  who  have  loft  all  appearance  of 
religion,  and  become  vifibly  conformed  to  the  fpi- 
rit  and  manners  of  the  world.  For,  as  our  Sa- 
viour fays,  **  They  are  the  fait  of  the  earth  :  buc 
if  the  fait  have  loft  his  favor,  wherewith  (hall  it  be 
faked  ?  it  is  thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to 
be  call  out,  and  to  be  trodden  under  foot  of  men." 
Hence  the  dignity  of  their  character,  and  the  im- 
portance of  their  office,  lay  Minifters  of  the  gofpel 
under  folemn  obligation  to  keep  themfelves  un- 
fpotted  from  the  world,  and  to  preach  the  preach- 
ing which  God  bids  them,  whether  their  people 
will  hear,  or  whether  they  will  forbear. 

I  mufl:  obferve  once  more, 

C  4-    If 


18  an  $t&matt'0tt  SERMON; 

4.  If  Minifters  fuffer  themfclvei  to  be  carried 
down  the  ftream  of  corruption,  they  become  not 
only  ufelejsy  but  deffruffive  to  the  people.  Corrupt 
Minifters  are  always  corrupters.  The  whole  tenJ 
dency  of  their  pra&ice  and  preaching  is,  to  corrupt 
and  deftroy  the  fouls  of  their  people.  Tho'  they 
have  loft  the  power  of  doing  good,  yet  they  retain 
the  power  of  doing  evil.  They  can  do  more  than 
other  men,  to  pull  down  the  kingdom  of  Chrift, 
and  build  up  the  kingdom  of  fatan.  And  as  they 
are  more  capable,  fo  they  are  more  difpofed,  than 
other  men,  to  ftifle  the  fpirit  of  Religion,  oppofe 
the  doctrines  of  the  gofpel,  and  ftrengthen  the  hearts 
and  hands  of  the  wicked.  This  is  thechara&er  which 
God  gives  of  the  corrupt  teachers  in  Ifrael.  He 
fay?, "  Shemaiah  taught  rebellion  againft  the  Lord." 
He  fays,  the  prophets  of  Samaria  and  Jerufalem 
*'  made  Ifrael  to  err>  ftrengthened  the  hands  of 
evil  doerst  and  caufcd  profanenefs  to  go  forth  into  all 

the  land." When  the  people  have  formed  their 

Minifters  after  their  own  hearts,  and  made  them 
rebellious  like  themfelves,  their  Minifters  will  then 
fit  them  fall  for  deftrufrion.  So  God  declares  to 
Ifrael,  by  his  faithful  prophet  Hofea  :  "  There 
(hall  be  like  people,  like  Prieft  :  and  I  m\\  puni/h 
them  for  their  ways."  And  our  Lord  fays,  "  If 
the  blind  lead  the  blind,  both  fiiall  fall  into  the 
ditch."    Thus  Minifters  will  deftroy   both  their 

own 


an  ^ttJt'natton  sermon;  19 

own  fouls  and  the  fouls  of  their  people,  if  they  fcf - 
fer  themfelves  to  be  corrupted  by  them.  And  can 
there  be  a  more  folemn  and  awful  confideration 
than  this,  to  conftrain  them  to  abftain  from  all 
appearance  of  evil  *  to  guard  againft  all  the  dan- 
gers of  their  office ;  and  to  difcharge  all  the  im- 
portant duties  of  it,  with  fidelity  and  zeal !  This 
is  our  indifpenfable  and  infinitely  important  duty, 

Having  illustrated  the  danger   and  duty  of 
Minifters,  I  now  proceed  to  make  a  few 

REFLECTIONS, 
which   naturally  grow   out   of  the   fubjecT:. 

I.    IT  is  now  a  very  dangerous  day  to  Minis- 
ters, in  this  young  and  flourifhing  Republic- 

The  people  have  fallen  into  a  great  and  general 
declenfion.  As  they  have  increafed,  fo  they  have 
finned.  They  have  loft  their  original  piety  and 
virtue,  and  become  extremely  loofe  both  in  prac- 
tice and  in  principle.  Every  fpecies  of  moral  cor- 
ruption has  fpread  through  every  part  of  our  na- 
tion, and  feized  all  ranks  andclafiTes  of  men,  Ar« 
minianifm,  univerfalifm,  and  deifm,  have  more  or 
lefs  infected  all  our  towns  and  parifhes  j  and  led 
multitudes  to  renounce  thofe  duties  and  doctrines 
of  religion,  in  which  they  were  early  educated  by 
their  pious  parents  and  faithful  Minifters.  This 
*lay  of  dsclenfion  among  the  people,  is  a  day  of 

great 


2d  am  ®r&taium  sermon. 

great  danger  to  the  Preachers  of  the  gofpel.  White 
iniquity  abounds,  and  the  love  of  many  waxes 
cold,  even  the  moft  faithful  Minifters  cf  the  gofpel 
are  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  degeneracy  of  the 
times.  This  is  very  evident  from  what  has  been 
faid  j  and  (till  more  evideat  from  the  conduct  of 
thofe  who  fuftain  the  iacred  character.  Many  Mi- 
nifters have  already  begun  to  degenerate  with  a 
degenerate  people.  Some  have  loft  that  fpirit  of 
devotion,  that  ftrictnefs  of  life,  and  that  purity  of 
fentiment,  which  was  once  fo  confpicuous  in  the 
Preachers  of  the  gofpel.  And  forne  have  begun  to 
yield  to  the  corrupt  humours  and  unreafonable  de« 
iires  of  the  people,  in  points  of  ferious  and  weighty 
importance.  Some  yield  to  the  vicious  j  and  neglect 
Ito  condemn  and  reprove  their  fafhionable  vices. 
Some  yield  to  the  heterodox  %  and  neglect  to  con- 
demn and  expofe  their  corrupt  fentiments.  Some 
yield  to  moral  finners  %  and  neglect  to  preach  thofe 
doctrines  of  the  gofpel,  which  are  fo  difagreeable 
to  their  carnal  hearts.  And  fome  condefcend  even 
to  difpenfe  with  the  laws  of  Chrift,  and  admit  thofe 
to  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the  gofpel,  who  are  vi- 
sibly deftitute  of  the  fcriptural  qualifications.—— 
Thefe  are  ftriking  inftances  of  Minifters  yielding 
to  the  corruptions  cf  the  times,  contrary  to  the 
dictates  of  thsir  minds.  And  fuch  inftances  as 
thefe  are  very  numerous,  and  to  be  found  ail  over 

the 


an  #r&tnatton  sermon;  ?f 

the  land.  How  many  Minifters  neither  preach 
nor  pra&ife  according  to  their  owo  fentimenti, 
through  fear  of  offending,  and  through  defire  of 
pleating,  the  people  ?  This  conduct  weakens  the 
hands  of  faithful  Minifters,  and  ftrengthens  the 
hands  of  thofe  who  wifh  to  corrupt  them.  The 
prefent  profpeel:  is,  that  thofe  who  are  the  light  of 
the  world,  will  lofe  their  luftre  5  and  thofe  who 
are  the  fait  of  the  earth,  will  lofe  their  favor  $  and 
there  will  be  like  people,  like  Priefh— Trying 
times  for  Minifters  are  probably  coming.  And  lee 
us  all,  who  think  we  ftand,  take  heed  left  we  fall, 

2.  Minifters  need,  at  this  day,  to  be  well 
qualified  for  their  office.— Though  religion  has 
decayed,  yet  knowledge  has  increafed.  There  are 
men  of  letters,  or  at  leaft  men  of  information,  in 
every  religious  fociety.  The  people  in  general  arc 
much  more  capable  now,  than  they  were  formerly; 
of  judging  of  the  talents  and  qualifications  of  Mi- 
nifters. And  as  they  are  more  critical  in  difcerning, 
fo  they  are  more  fevere  in  cenfuring,  every  minif- 
terial  defied  or  imperfection.  The  corruption  of 
the  times  appears  in  nothing  more  vifibly,  than  in 
the  united  opposition  of  the  people  to  /acred  things," 
and  to  /acred  perfons.  They  feem  determined  to 
bring  down  Minifters,  and  make  reprisals  upon 
them,  for  their  having  fo  long  pofiefied  the  public 
efteem  and  confidence.  Thofe,  therefore,  who  en- 
ter 


%i  am  (^rUtnatton  sermon; 

ter  into  the  Miniftry  at  fuch  a  day  as  this,  need  tq 
be  well  qualified  for  their  great  and  arduous  work* 
If  they  affume  the  facred  office,  without  any  con,- 
ftftent  fcheme  of  religious  fentiments,  or  any  con- 
fiderable  ftock  of  theological  knowledge,  they  will 
very  probably  injure  the  caufe  which  they  ought  to 
defend  and  promote.     For  people   have  loft  their 
former  implicit  faith  in  the  opinions  of  Minifters, 
and  pay  no  refpeft  to  their  bare  affertions.     They 
demand  evidence  for  every  thing  which  their  teach-, 
ers  call  upon  them  to  believe  and  pra&ife.     And 
this  renders  it  necefiary  for  Minifters  to  be  mighty 
in  the  Scriptures,  and  expert  in  reafoning  upon  di- 
vine fubjects.   They  ought  to  be  able  to  meet  de- 
ifts,  univgrfaliltoj  and  all  gainfayers,  upon  their 
own  ground,  and  expofe  the  fallacy  and  weaknefs 
of  their  boafted  arguments.    There  is  reafon  to 
believe,  that  the  late  rapid  increafe  of  error   and 
infidelity  in  this  land,  is  partly  owing  to  the  igno- 
rance of  Minifters,  who  have  nsver  formed  any 
clear  and  confiftent  fcheme   of  Divinity  in   their 
own  minds.   They  have  fuffered  error  and  infidel- 
ity to  take  root  in  their  own  congregations,  through 
a  fenfe  of  their  own  ini'ufficiency   to  maintain  and 
defend  the  truth.     And  this   has  led  infidels   and 
others,  to  reprefent  the  Clergy  as  a  weak,  ignorant, 
foperftitious  fct  of  men.    Hence  it  highly  concerns 
the  Minifters  of  the  goipel,  at  this  day,  to  wipe 
off  fuch  afperfions  from  their  order,  by  poffeffing 


and 


an  ©ttfaatfon  SERMON.  ag 

and  difplaying  that  knowledge,  which  may  put  to 
filence  the  ignorance  of  foolifh  men;  It  is  pre- 
fumption  for  any  man,  to  undertake  to  preach  the 
gofpel,  without  being  able  to  prove  the  infpiration 
of  the  Scriptures,  and  to  defend  the  important 
doctrines  which  the  Bible  contains.  This  is  what 
people,  now  juftly  expect  •,  and  if  they  are  difap- 
pointed,  it  will  injure  both  them  and  thofc  who 
profefs  to  be  their  religious  inftructors. 

But  prudence,  as  well  as  knowledge,  is  a  necef- 

'  fary  qualification  for  a  Minifter.     He  needs  this, 

to  enable  him  to  exhibit  divine  truth  in  the  moft 

profitable  manner,  and  to  efcape  thofe  fnares  which 

the  enemies  of  truth  will  always  endeavour  to  lay 

for  him.     Our  Lord  was  a  prudent  Preacher.  His 

prudence,  however,  did  not  confift  in  taking  the 

iafeft  methods  to  conceal  difagreeable  doctrines  j 

but  in  delivering  difagreeable  doctrines  at  a  proper 

time,  and  in  proper  expreffions.  -How  often  did 

his  enemies  attempt  to  entangle  him  in  his  talk  ? 

And  how  often  did  he  confound  and  filence  them  ? 

There  are  many,   at  this  day,   who  feel   the  fame 

oppofition  to  the  Minifters  of  the  gofpel,  that  the 

Jews  felt  towards  Chrift;  and  therefore  they  need 

to  be  wife  and  prudent,  as  he  was,   in  order  to 

avoid  the  fame  fnares  and  dangers,  which  he,   by 

his  prudence,  avoided.     Accordingly    he  hai  ex- 

prefsly  enjoined  it  upon  them,  "  to  be  wife  as  (er- 

pents,  and  harmiels  as  doves.'' 


24  an  0l$matt0tt  SERMON. 

But  Minifters  of  the  gofpelj  at  this  day  of  de- 
clenfion,  need  large  mrafares  of  Grace,  as  well  as 
of  knowledge  and  prudence.  They  need  to  be 
crucified  to  the  world,  and  the  world  to  them,  by 
the  crofs  of  Chrift.  They  ought  to  be  willing  to 
take  up  their  crofs  daily,  and  endure  the  afflictions 
of  the  gofpel.  They  ought  to  feek  the  honour 
which  cometh  from  God,  and  renounce  that  which 
cometh  from  men.  They  ought  to  favor  the  things 
which  be  of  God,  and  not  thofe  which  be  of  men. 
They  ought  to  love  God,  and  Chrift,  and  the  fault 
of  men,  fo  much,  as  to  be  willing  to  be  poor,  and 
defpifed,  and  abufed  by  men,  in  the  faithful  dif* 
charge  of  their  duty.  They  ought,  in  a  word,  to 
be  fo  holy,  and  harmlefs,  and  pure,  and  heavenly 
minded,  as  to  be  proof  againft  all  the  frowns  and 
flatteries  of  thofe  who  with  to  weaken  their  hands, 
difcourage  their  hearts,  and  deftroy  their  influence. 
If  thofe  who  enter  upon  the  Miniftry  are  poffefled 
of  thefe  fuperior  qualifications,  they  may  hope, 
through  the  divine  goodnefs,  to  war  a  good  war- 
fare, to  keep  the  faith,  and  endure  unto  the  end, 
fo  as  to  receive  that  crown  of  righteoufnefs  which 
is  referved  for  thofe  who  are  faithful  unto  death. 
But  if  any  prefume  to  run  before  they  are  fent, 
and  to  preach  before  they  are  qualified,  they  have 
reafon  to  expect  that  they  fhall  one  day  fail  into 
the  corruption  of  the  times,  and  become  a  reproach 
to  the  facred  order,  and  a  ftumbiing  to  thofe  whom 
they  ought  to  have  reproved  and  reclaimed. 


an  ©rtrtnattatt  sermon.  25 

3.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  good  men,  at  this  day 
cfpecially,  to  aid  and  afiift  the  Ministers  of  the 
gofpel  in  the  difcharge  of  their  office.  No  men 
have  greater  difficulties  to  encounter,  than  Minif- 
ters,  and  therefore  no  men  Hand  in  more  need  of 
affiftance,  than  they.  They  are  pleading  the  caufe 
of  all  good  men,  againft  the  united  oppoficion  of 
all  bad  men.  Good  men*  therefore,  ought  to  do 
all  in  their  power  to  countenance  and  aflift  them. 
And  in  companion  to  Minifters,  God  has  been 
pleated  to  lay  his  fpecial  commands  upon  all  good 
men  to  help  them.  The  duties  which  good  men 
owe  to  Minifters,  are  plainly  pointed  out,  and 
ftroogly  enjoined,  in  the  word  of  God.  I  will  read 
a  number  of  plain  pafiages  to  this  purpofe.  "  The 
Price's  lips  fhculd  keep  knowledge,  and  they 
Jhouldfeek  the  law  at  his  mouth :  for  he  is  the  mef« 
fenger  of  the  Lord  of  Hafts."  **  Obey  them  that 
have  the  rule  over  you,  and  fubmit  yourfelves : 
for  they  watch  for  your  fouls,  as  they  that  muft 
give  account."  "  Wc  befsech  you,  brethren,  to 
know  them  that  labour  among  you,  and  are  over 
you  in  the  Lord,  and  adrnonilh  you  j  and  efieem 
them  very  highly  in  love  for  their  work  fake." 
"  Remember  them  that  have  the  rule  over  you  ; 
who  have  fpoken  unto  you  the  word  of  God ; 
whofe  faith  fellow,  considering  the  end  of  their 
convsrfatioa."  "  Brethren,  pray  for  us."  "  Now 
I  befeech  you,  brethren,  for  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift's 

D  fake, 


26  an  ^rfcutaffon  SERMON. 

fake,  and  for  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  that  ye  drive 
together  with  me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  m*, 
that  I  may  be  delivered  from  them  that  believe 
not."  *'  Finally,  brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  the 
word  of  the  Lord  may  have  free  courfe,  and  be 
glorified  ;  and  that  we  may  be  delivered  from  unrea- 
finable  and  wicked  men.** — Thefe  precepts  require 
good  men,  in  particular,  to  hear  their  Minifters?  to 
revere  their  Minifters,  to  effeem  then  Miniiter? , 
to  pray  for  their  Minifters.  It  is  high  time,  for  aii 
real  chriftians,  to  awake  from  their  ftupor,  and  by 
their  prayers  and  exertions,  to  aid  the  Minifters  of 
the  gofpel  in  their  difficult  and  important  work. 
If  chriftian  profeflbrs  would  unite  with  chriftian 
Minifters,  in  the  common  caufeof  chriftianity,  we 
might  reafonably  hope  that  religion  would  gain 
ground,  and  vice  and  infidelity  would  every  where 
fall  before  it. 

But  it  is  time  to  conclude  the  Dlfcourfe,  with 
fuch  Addreffes  as  are  ufual  on  fuch  an  occafion  a» 
this.  And,  in  the  S'rfl:  place,  I  turn  to  him,  who 
is  about  to  take  the  Paftoral  care  of  this  people. 

Dsar  Sir, 

YOU  are  entering  upon  a  work  of  great  diffi- 
culty and  clanger.  You  will  fare  better  than  any 
who  have  gone  before  you  in  the  Miniftry,  if  you 
ihouid  not  meet  with  any  who  wifn  and  endeavour 
to  draw  you  from  the  path  of  duty.     The  people, 

to 


an  fprtitnation  sermon:  i? 

CO  whom  you  are  going  to  minifter,  we  prefume 
are  as  well  difpofed  cowards  the  gofpel,  and  to- 
wards the  Preachers  of  it,  as  religious  focieties  in 
general.  But  the  corruptions  of  the  times  have 
reached  this  as  well  as  other  places.  You  are, 
therefore,  entering  upon  the  work  of  the  Miniftry 
at  a  very  dangerous  period.  And  though  we  hope 
you  3i*e  seally  friendly  to  God  and  to  his  caufe, 
yet  the  feeds  of  rebellion  are  not  entirely  defiroyed 
our  own  heart.  There  is  fomething  ilill  with- 
-  you,  which  expofes  you  to  be  moved  from  your 
ftsdfaftnefs.  Moral  corruption  fpreads  its  pcifoa 
very  infeniibly,  and  often  gains  the  pofTeffion  of 
the  heart  before  the  man  is  aware.  You  canncr, 
therefore,  be  too  watchful  againft  its  pernicious 
influence.  To  defeat  the  defigns  of  thofe,  who  may 
wifli  to  weaken  your  hands  and  heart  in  the  czute 
of  God,  you  cannot  take  a  more  direct  and  effec- 
tual method,  than  to  become  "  an  En/ample  to  ibe 
flock."  h  is  the  proper  bufinefs  of  Minifterg  to  fett 
and  not  to  follow ,  example.  Inftead  of  fuffering 
yourfelf  to  be  formed  co  the  fpirit  and  manners  of 
Others,  make  it  your  conftanc  aim  and  endeavour 
to  form  others  to  the  fpirit  of  the  golpd  and  the 
life  of  religion.  If  your  people  perceive  this  to  be 
your  fteady  and  governing  principle  of  action,  they 
will  have  but  little  bopet  and  of  confequence  buc 
little  courage,  to  make  the  attempt  of  corrupting 
either  your  heart,  your  life,  or  your  preaching.    If 

you 


as  an  ©rfctnattmi  sermon. 

you  appear  to  regard  God  more  than  man,  and  the 
good  of  your  people  more  than  their  cenfure  or 
anplaufe,  they  will  feel  a  power  in  your  preaching, 
znd  a  force  in  your  example*  which  they  car*  neither 
gaihfay  nor  reuft  $  efpecially  if  you  difcover,  atths 
fame  time,  a  readinefs  to  pleafe,  and  even  to  oblige 
thrrrij  in  all  things  which  are  confident  with  the 
duties  of  your  ciiice.  Confcience  is  always  on  the 
fide  of  the  faithful  Minifter,  and  againft  every  re. 
bellious  child  of  Adam  :  And  it  is  this,  which 
gives  every  Miaflfcer,  who  fpeaks  for  God,  and  with 
his  words,  the  afcendency  over  the  mod  hardened 
and  obftioate  finners.  Only  fear  God,  and  make 
his  word  the  ftandard  of  your  preaching,  and  you 
need  not  fear  to  deliver  the  molt  difagreeable 
truths  to  your  peopSe,  whether  they  will  hear,  or 
whether  they  will  forbears  for  they  will  feel  that 
there  is  a  man  of  God  among  them. 

A  good  foldier  cfkems  it  an  honour  to  be  call- 
ed to  the  pod  of  danger.  And  if  you  are  a  good 
foldier  cf  Jefus  Chrift*  you  will  efteem  it  an  ho- 
nour to  plead  his  caufc  in  a  day  of  declenfion.  It 
i*  a  caufe  which  will  certainly  prevail  fomewharej 
and  if  ycu  do  your  duty,  you  may  humbly  hope 
thai  it  will  prevail  in  this  place.  But,  mould  you 
be  fo  unhappy  as  to  find  religion  decaying  among 
your  own  people,  and  among  thofs  ground  you  ; 
let  it  not  damp  your  fpini,  but  awaken  you  to  be 

more 


an  ^tfjfaatfon  sermon:  29 

more  fervent  in  your  devotions,  more  indefatigable 
in  your  ftudies,  more  zealous  in  your  preaching, 
and  more  holy  and  exemplary  in  your  living.  The 
united  exertions  of  the  enemies  of  religion,  ought 
20  route  the  united  exertions  of  thole  who  are  fee 
for  the  defence  of  the  gofpel,  to  put  a  check  upon 
the  growing  fpirit  of  error  and  irreligion  :  and  we 
hope  you  will  not  be  wanting,  in  your  defires  and 
endeavours,  to  awaken  flupid  tinners  to  a  fenfe  of 
their  danger  and  duty. 

There  can  be  no  neuters  in  the  caufe  of  Chriftj 
He  that  is  not  for  him,  mutt  be  againSt  him  5  and 
he  that  gathereth  not  with  him,  muft  fcatter 
abroad.  You  muft  be  conformed  either  to  Chrift 
or  to  the  world.  You  muft  either  preach  rebellion 
againft  God,  or  bear  your  public  teftirrony  againft 
ir,  both  in  preaching  and  in  practice,  On  this  day; 
of  your  iolemn  confecration  to  the  facred  office, 
you  are  folemnly  called  upon  to  choofe  whom  you 
will  ferve,  whether  Chrift  or  his  enemies.  Be  en-, 
treated  to  make  a  wife  choice,  and  never  depart 
from  it,  becaufe  the  confluences  will  be  infinitely 
important.  So  our  Lord  hath  taught  you,  in  the 
moft  ftriking  language  :  «*  Who  then  (fays  he)  is 
a  faithful  and  wife  fervanf,  whom  his  Lord  hath 
made  ruler  over  his  houfehold,  to  give  them  meat 
in  due  feafon  ?  BlciTed  is  that  fervant  whom  his 
LorJ,  when  hecometh,  (hall  find  fo  doing.     Veri- 

ly 


so  an  (Bttiimtion  sermon: 

ly  I  fay  unto  you,  that  he  (hall  make  him  ruler 
over  all  his  goods.  But  and  if  that  fervant  fhall 
fay  in  his  hearr,  My  Lord  delaycth  his  coming ; 
and  fhall  begin  tofmite  his  fellow  fervant?,  and  to 
eat  and  drink  with  the  drunken  ;  the  Lord  of  that 
fervant  (hall  come  in  a  day  when  he  looketh  not 
for  him,  and  in  an  hour  that  he  is  not  aware  of* 
and  fhall  cut  him  afunder,  and  appoint  him  his 
portion  with  the  hypocrites :  there  fhall  be  weep- 
ing and  gnafhing  of  teeth." 

Son  of  man,  bear  what  your  Lord  faith  unto  you* 
and  be  not  thou  rebellious,  like  fuch  a  rebellious 
fervant :  but  be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  the 
Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  fhall  give  you  a  crown 
of  life,  which  fhall  never  fade  away. 

The  Church  and  Congregation  in  this  place, 
will  now  indulge  me  in  a  free  and  friendly  Addrefa 
to  them,  on  this  foiemn  occafion,     • 

Brethren  and  Friends, 
BEHOLD  the  man,  whom  you  have  fo  unan» 
imoufly  chofen  to  take  the  Paitoral  care  of  your 
fouls.  Receive  him  as  a  meffcnger  of  the  Lord  of 
Hods,  and  feek  the  law  at  his- mouth.  Efteem  him 
highly  in  love  for  his  work  fake.  Confider  him  as 
a  Minifter  as  well  as  a  man,  an'd  pay  refpect  to  the 
M'mifter  in  the  man.  Ceafe  not  to  pray  for  him, 
and  to  join  with  him  in  building  up  the  Redeem- 

tt'j 


an  ^rfcutatton  SERMON.  |{ 

er*»  kingdom.  In  this,  and  in  this  alcne,  you  may 
reafonably  defire  him  to  be  one  with  you  :  And 
in  this,  and  in  this  alone,  will  he  be  willing  to 
join  with  you,  if  he  is  a  faithful  fervant  of  God. 
Never  defire  him  to  regard  you  more  than  God ; 
and  never  become  his  enemies  becaufe  he  cells  you 
the  truth.  This  will  be  diftrefling  to  him,  and  de- 
flru&ive  to  yourfelves.  He  cannot  ferve  you  any 
longer  than  he  ferves  God.  If  you  fliould  be  fo 
unwife  as  to  defire  him  to  conform  to  your  unrea« 
fonable  wifne?,  and  fo  fuccefsful  as  to  bring  him 
to  a  conformity,  you  will  injure  both  him  and 
yourfelves.  It  appears  from  what  has  been  laid, 
however,  that  the  people  are  extremely  prone  to 
corrupt  their  Minifters  :  And  this  affords  ground 
to  fear,  that  this  people,  who  have  been  fo  remark- 
ably unanimous  in  the  choice  of  him,  who  is  now 
to  be  fet  over  them  in  the  Lord,  may  neverthelefs 
become  difpofed  to  weaken  his  hands  and  difcou- 
rage  his  heart,  in  the  ferviceof  their  fouls.  Should 
you  endeavour  to  do  this,  and  fucceed  in  it,  how 
dreadful  will  be  your  fituation,  when  you  come  to 
fee,  at  the  !aft  day, -that  you  have  grieved  the  heart 
and  deflroyed  the  influence  of  one,  who  defired, 
and  endeavoured  to  promote,  your  eternal  good  \ 
—But,  on  the  other  hand,  what  can  afford  you 
greater  joy,  than  to  be  prefcnted  before  the  uni- 
verfc,  as  friends  to  God,  and  to  them  who  were 
workers  together  with  him   in   building   up  his 

kingdom  ? 


$i  an  Mutation  SERMON. 

kingdom  ?— You  and  your  Parlor  are  bath  in  dari. 
ger.  He  is  in  danger  from  you,  and  you  are  in 
danger  from  him.  The  connexion  which  may  be 
this  day  formed  between  you,  will  be  infinitely  in- 
tending to  you  all.  We  bfifeech  you,  Breduen 
and  Friends,  to  take  heed  how  you  hear  your  Mi- 
nuter, how  you  fed  towards  him,  and  how  ycu 
treat  him.  He  can  do  but  very  little  without  you. 
He  needs  your  love,  your  prayers,  and  your  afiifl- 
ance.  He  is  called,  like  young  Samuel,  to  bear 
the  meffages  of  God  to  you,  in  a  day  of  great  de- 
clenfion.  And  if  it  be  his  heart's  defire  and  prayer 
to  God,  that  you  may  be  faved  ;  let  it  be  your 
heart's  defire  and  prayer  to  God,  that  he  may  be 
both  faithful  and  fuccefsful.  And  if  you  receive 
a  prophet  in  the  name  of  a  prophet,  you  fhail  re- 
ceive a  prophet's  reward. 

amen; 


ths     CHARGE. 
-^Z. 

bv  the  Rev.  tf5|)ie«3  jftetTtll,  Minister  of" 
PLAST01V  and  part  of  HAVERHILL. 


G, 


'IVING  the  folemn  Charge  at  our  Ordina- 
tions or  Minifters,  as  it  is  a  pra&ice  warranted  by 
apoftolic  example,  fo  it  well  accords  with  our  nau 
ural  lentiments  and  feelings  on  fuch  an  occafion, 
as  it,  at  once,  prefents  to  the  candidate  a  fumma- 
ry  of  the  duties  he  is  to  perform,  and  of  the  reafona 
inducing  to  wifdom,  zeal  and  fidelity  in  the  per- 
formance. 

This  being  the  part  of  the  public  tranfacYtons 
of  this  day,  affigned  me  by  the  ordaining  Council^ 
rtquefttng  the  filent,  candid  and  lerious  attention 
of  the  whole,  I  turn  to  the  perfon  here  prefenting 
himfelf  before  the  Lord,  and  before  his  pecplea 
and  by  the  divinely  indicated  and  exprefiive  rite  of 
the  irrpofuion  of  hands,  we,  in  the  name,  and  by 
the  authority  of  JcfusChrift,clo  Separate  and  ordain 
you,  Mr.  JOHN  SMITH,  to  the  office  and  work 
of  the  Gofpei  Miniftry  :  And  as  you  are  called  of 
God,  in  the  courfe  of  his  providence,  to  the  flared 
exercife  of  the  Miniftry  in  this  place,  wetheiffors 
commie  unto  you  the  Paftoral  care  and  overfight 
of  this  Church  and  Congregation,  in  Salem ;  at  the 
E  farm: 


34-  the  charge: 

fame-time  declaring  you  to  be  invefted  with  all  the 
powers  and  privileges  of  the  Evangelical  Miniftry, 
aad  under  obligation  the  nioft  facred  and  indifpen- 
fable,  to  preach  the  Word — to  adminifter  the  Or- 
dinances of  the  Gofpel  —  to  rule  the  houfe  of  God 
—to  pronounce  his  blefling  on  his  people— and  to 
aflift,  on  proper  occaflons,  in  ordaining  others  to 
the  fame  important  work  and  office. 

Take  thou,  then,  upon  thee,  this  Miniftry,  and 
the  overfight  of  this  flock,  with  pure  intentions, 
with  a  ready  mind,  and  with  inflexible  purpofes* 
through  grace,  of  fulfilling  the  duties  of  your  fta. 
tion  with  diligence  and  Hdelity. 

In  order  to  this,  look  well  to  yourfelf,  to  you? 
heart  and  to  your  life,  to  the  views  of  your  mind, 
to  the  exercifes  of  your  heart,  to  the  general  tenor 
and  to  the  particular  fleps  cf  your  walk.  The 
good  Minifter  implies  the  good  man,  and  perfonal 
religion  forms  a  diftinguifhing  trait  in  the  charac- 
ter of  a  Parlor  according  to  God's  own  heart. 

I*  is  eur  prcfu option  and  our  hope,  that  yotf 
have  received  an  unction  from  the  Holy  One.  Bb 
felicitous,  Sir,  to  drink  deep  into  the  fpirit  of  the 
gofpei,  to  feel  and  exprefs  its  energy  and  its  graces, 
to  exemplify  all  the  virtues  of  that  religion  which 
you  are  to  recommend  to  others,  and  to  be  youN 
felf  a  model  of  that  amiable  character  and  life,  to 

which 


the  CHARGE,  25 

which  it  is  the  defign  of  chriftianky  to  form  thofe 
to  whom  you  minifter: 

As  a  dated  part  of  your  duty,  you  are  to  preach 
the  Word,  And  we  give  it  you  in  charge  to  take 
heed,  both  as  to  the  matter  and  the  manner  of  your 
preaching.  The  Bible  is  to  be  your  rule.  The 
facred  Scriptures  mull  be  the  ttandard  of  your 
faith,  of  your  life,  of  your  preaching,  and  of  all 
your  adminiftrationa ;  thefe  mult,  therefore,  be  the 
fubject  of  your  daily,  ferious,  prayerful  and  im- 
partial ftudy.  In  your  examination  of  the  Scrip* 
tures,  you  are  to  compare  fpirUual  things  witbfpi* 
ritual,  and  conceive  of  each  part  according  to  the 
analogy  of  faith,  and  the  fcope  of  the  whole ;  not 
diftinguifhing  things  between  which  there  is  no  dif- 
ference, nor  blending  together  things  which  are  in 
themfelves  diftinct, 

The  Chriftian  fyftem,  you  will  underftand  and 
reprefent  as  a  religion  cf  divine  original,  fufHcient- 
ly  authenticated  to  gain  rational  belief  \  a  device 
cf  unfearchable  wifdom  and  benevolence,  intended 
and  adapted  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  relieve  the 
guilty,  to  form  mankind  to  knowledge,  piety,  fo- 
cial  virtue,  ufefulnefs  and  happinefs  ;  a  religion 
which,  in  its  ftructure,  i*  raoft  admirably  fitted  to 
difpiay  the  riches  of  free  grace,  while  it  eftablilhes 
the  necefiity  of  godlinefs  and  found  morality. 

This 


3^  the   CHARGE, 

This  religion  is  to  be  the  fubjeSt  matter  of  your 
preaching  j  and  the  doctrines,  the  precepts,  the 
prohibicions,  the  initiations,  the  promifes,  the 
threatnings,  and  the  examples  of  it,  particularly 
that  of  Chrift,  are  to  be  clearly  opened,  difcreetly 
applied,  faithfully  reprefented,  and  ftrongly  en- 
forced |  that,  through  the  concurring  grace  of  the 
Spirit  of  God,  of  which  the  Gofpel  is  a  miniftra- 
tion,  they  may  hopefully  operate  for  the  instruc- 
tion, conviction  and  conversion  of  finners,  as  well 
as  for  the  edification,  comfort  and  improvement 
of  the  fan&ified.  You  are  to  avoid  curious  quef- 
tions  and  (hires  of  words,  as  tending  to  fubvert 
and  confound  your  hearers ;  and  to  preach  Chrift 
Crucified;  faith  in  him,  and  repentance  towards 
£od ;  that  love  which  originates  from  faith,  and 
which  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law ;  together  with 
that  bolinefs  without  which  no  man  fioall  fee  the  Lord. 
LThcfe  things  teach  and  exhort. 

In  regard  to  the  manner  of  your  preaching,  let 
it  be  in  a  mode  correfponding  with  the  nature  of 
your  fubjccl ;  grave,  ferious,  plain,  folemn  and 
animated,  pertinent  to  the  feveral  ages,  clafies  and 
cafes  of  thofe  whom  you  addrefs.  In  this  way, 
feed  theflock%  the  Jhtep  and  the  lambs%  endeavouring  to 
approve  yourjelf  unto  Gcdt  a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ajhamedt  rightly  dividing  the  word  cf  truth,  and 
giving  to  every  one  his  particular  portion  of  meat  in  due 
feafon.  But, 


the  CHARGE.  37 

But,  Sir,  you  muft  know,  that  the  dcfk  ii  not 
the  only  theatre  on  which  you  are  to  tx-rt  your 
minifterial  talent* ;  nor  is  preaching  there,  your 
only  employment.  Your  whole  turn  of  mind,  your 
temper  and  fpirir,  your  general  converfation,  your 
occasional  vifits  and  intercourfes  with  your  people, 
and  the  habitual  courfe  of  your  life  and  comple- 
tion of  your  example,  muft  be  a  lively  comment 
on  your  preachingt  and  a  fpleadid  exemplification 
of  chriitian  graces  and  minifterial  abihtiti. 

You  are  now  invefted  with  authority  to  admi- 
nifter  the  Ordinances  of  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's 
Supper :  This  muft  be  done  with  impartiality,  to 
the  proper  fubjects,  at  ftated  in  the  gofpel,  making 
a  judicious  difference  between  the  holy  and  profane* 

You  are  not  only  to  feed,  but  to  rule  the  fl  ck  : 
Let  this  part  of  your  duty  be  performed,  not  as 
lording  it  over  God's  heritage,  but  in  a  manner  that 
may  combine  meeknefs,  moderation  and  faithful- 
neffi,  with  dignity,  wifdom  and  impartiality.— 
Strain  not  the  cords  of  church-difcipline  till  they 
break,  nor  relax  them  to  countenance  icandal  and 
diforder. 

The  gift  that  is  in  you,  by  laying  on  the  handt 
of  the  Prtlbytery,  is  not  to  benegitded,  as  it  re- 
fpe&s  the  ordination  of  others.  You  muft  aft  here 
with  great  caution  and  difcrction.     Lay  bands  fttd- 

denly 


3%  the  CHARGE. 

denly  on  no  man,  lesJyou  be  partaker  of  other  men's  Jins  • 
hut  the  things  which  thou  has!  received,  before  many 
witnejfes,  the  fame  commit  thou  to  faithful  men,  who 
Jhall  be  able  alfo  to  teach  others. 

Tour  candle  muft  not  be  pat  under  a  bufhel, 
but  in  a  candleftick,  holding  forth  the  word  of  life  s 
iThere  you  muft  burn  and  fhine,  till  you  fpend  and 
arefpent.  You  muft  cultivate  a  fpirit  of  fortitude, 
and  endure  hardinefs  as  a  goodfoldier  of  Jtfus  ChrisJ  : 
Undifmayed  with  difficulties,  unallured  by  entice- 
ments, let  your  patience  have  its  ptrfeU  work,  and 
he  thou  faithful  unto  death. 

Although  your  own  Hock  claims  your  more 
particular  and  ftated  miniftratloni,  yet  to  them  they 
are  not  to  be  wholly  confined.  Let  your  talents 
and  benevolence  be  exerted  for  the  general  good  of 
the  Churches  %  to  eftablifh  or  reftore  truth  and 
loves  to  heal  their  diviiions  |  to  ftrengthen  the 
hands,  encourage  the  hearts,  and  promote  the  re- 
putation and  ufefulnefs  of  their  Paftors,  joining 
your  efforts  and  prayer*  with  theirs,  thit  peace  may 
be  within  the  wallst  and  projperity  within  the  palaces 
of  our  Jerufaleffi, 

There  is  one  thing  more  too  important  to  be 
omitted  in  an  addrefs  of  this  nature— It  is  this,  that 
all  your  fufficiency  is-ifGod,  and  that  the  efficacy  of 
all  your  mod  vigorous  adminiftrations  depends  on 

his 


the  CHARGE.  39 

his  blefllng ;  be  then,  O  man  of  God,  a  man  of 
prayer.  To  the  God  of  all  grace  let  humble,  ar- 
dent and  frequent  application  be  made  for  wifdom, 
lighr,  ftrength,  animation  and  fortitude,  to  aid  you 
in  your  work,  and  for  the  energy  of  his  Spirit  to 
give  impreffion  and  efficacy  to  your  adminiftra- 
cions. 

Thefe  things  we  give  you  in  charge,  before  God, 
Angels,  and  this  whole  aflembly.  Motives  to  keep 
it,  unrebukable,  are  not  wanting  $    motives  both 

awful   and  alluring. We  affectionately  exhort 

you,  by  your  explicit  profeffion  of  the  chriftian  re-, 
ligion  which  you  are  to  preach ;  by  the  vows  im- 
plied in  your  Ordination ;  by  your  accountablsnefs 
to  the  tribunal  of  Heaven  j  by  the  doom  of  the 
flothful  fervant ;  by  the  blocd  of  fouls  that  will  be 
found  in  the  fkirts,  and  required  at  the  hands,  of 
the  unfaithful ;  by  the  pleafures  of  a  good  con- 
fcience ;  by  the  approbation  of  God  %  by  the  crown 
of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away  5  by  every  thing  thai: 
is  interefting  and  important,  in  time  or  eternity,  to 
yourfelf  or  to  your  flock —  we  entreat  and  adjure 
you  to  take  heed  to  your/elf,  and  to  the  minifiry  you 
have  received  in  the  Lord  to  fulfil  it :  And  may  God 
Almighty  biefs  you— render  you  a  rich  and  lading 
bleffijig—  and  grant  chat,  having  turned  many  to 
right eoufnefs,  you  may/bine  as  the  brightnefs  of  the  fir* 
mament,  and  as  a  Bar  for  ever  and  ever* 

AM  EM. 


THE 

RIGHT    HAND    of     FELLOWSHIP. 
/ 

«— — — — trw— — «■!■!■■  ■"!■■  ■■■■  


£Y  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jg>eabOtip,  of  Atkinson. 

X  HE  great  ApoiHe  of  the  Gentiles,  when 
taking  a  comparative  view  of  faith ,  hope,  and  cha- 
rily, evidently  gives  a  preference  to  the  latter. 

Correfpondent  to  this  idea,  is  the  principal  fcope 
of  revelation,  by  which  true  chriftianity  is  clearly 
difcovered  to  be  a  fyftem  of  genuine  benevolence, 
calculated  to  promote  the  greateft  harmony  in  fo- 
ciety,  and  the  beft  intereft  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom among  men. 

This  divine  love  meliorates  the  heart,  rectifies 
human  pafiions,  dilates  the  mind,  increafes  humili 
ity,  directs  the  affections  to  proper  objects,  and 
gives  the  finifhing  drakes  to  a  character,  amiable 
in  the  fight  of  God  and  man. 

By  thi9  heavenly  affection,  cenforious  bigotry 
retires,  and  true  virtue  and  goodnefs  are  cheerfully 
embraced  wherever  they  are  difcovered. 

A  trait  fo  ornamental  in  the  characters  of  indi- 
viduals, mines  withdiitinguimed  luftre,  when  con- 
spicuous lafocieties  who  are  connected  together  for 
the  promotion  of  mutual  happinefs ;  and  it  de- 
fences an  additional  encomium,  being  particularly 

enforced 


The  Right  Hand  of  jFeltOtDfljtp,  %i 

enforced  in  thofe  facred  Oracles  which  were  given  by 
infpiration  of  God,  and  are  profitable  for  doclrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  inftruftion  in  righteoufnefs -, 
that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfecl,  throughly  furnifh^ 
ed  unto  all  good  works. 

Love  to  the  brethren,  is  the  principal  criterion* 
by  which  we  are  allured,  that  we  are  the  true  dif- 
ciples  of  Chrift.  It  is  effential  in  an  Ambaffadof 
of  the  Saviour  of  men  5  it  is  effential  in  lifter 
Churches,  to  be  exhibited  upon  all  proper  ocea- 
lions,  efpecialiy  upon  our  Ordination  folemnities. 

This  brotherly  affection  glowed  in  the  character 
of  the  Apoftles  of  our  Lord.  Upon  their  corn- 
miflioning  and  fending  forth  others  to  be  their  fel- 
low labourers,  they  difccvefed  their  cordial  appro- 
bation of  them,  and  their  refolution  in  the  caufe 
of  the  gofpel,  by  giving  them  the  Right  Hand  of 

In  imitation  of  this  example,  this  fignificant 
rite  has  been  in  general  ufe  among  chriftiant,  in 
fucceffive  periods,  to  the  day  in  which  we  live. 

The  prefent  folemn  and  joyful  occafion  prefents 
us  with  an  opportunity  to  exhibit  our  affection 
and  efteem  in  gofpel  order,  to  you,  dear  Sir,  unto 
whom,  by  the  direction  of  this  venerable  Council, 

I  give  my  right  hand, You  will  receive  it  as  a 

token  of  our  cordial  approbation  of  you,  as  a  faith- 

F  ful 


r4i  The  Right  Hand  of  JWfotoflrtp. 

ful  fervant  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  and 
one  with  us  in  the  office  of  the  gofpel  miniftry. 

We  welcome  you,  my  brother,  into  the  gofpel 
vineyard,  to  take  a  part  with  us  in  fowing,  plant- 
ing, and  watering,  with  an  humble  reliance  upoi 
.  God  for  an  ample  increafe.  We  publicly  propofe 
an  interchange  of  kind  offices,  that  we  may  be  fel- 
low helpers  to  each  other  in  the  Lord.  We  wifh 
you  a  happy  and  fuccefsfui  miniftry,  with  a  united, 
liberal,  and  virtuous  people.  Rejoicing  with  you 
in  your  prefent  profpe&s,  we  commend  you  to  the 
care  and  direction  of  Him,  who  holds  the  ftars  in 
his  right  hand,  walks  in  the  midft  of  his  golden 
candlefticks,  and  who  has  promifed  to  accompany 
his  faithful  miniftering  fervants  to  the  end  of  the 
eWorld. 

May  you  have  the  exalted  happinefs  of  promote 
ing  union  and  harmony  among  this  people  j  of  be- 
ing instrumental  in  the  hand  of  God,  in  reclaim- 
ing the  erroneous,  awakening  the  carelefs,  and  in 
ferving  the  belt  intereft  of  this  Church  and  people, 
that  you  may  "  fave  yourfelf,  and  thofe  who  hear  you." 
May  you  clofely  follow  the  example  of  Chrift,  in 
his.imitable  perfe&ions5  ^exhibiting  much  of  his 
fpirit  in  your  daily  walk  and  conversation,  that 
you  may  be  an  example  to  your  fleck.  And  you 
will  not  fail  to  take  God's  word  for  the  rule  of 
your  feith  and  practice,  to  exhibit  that  difpofition 

which 


*bi  Right  Hand  of  Mfototytp,  43 

which  characterizes  the  true  follower  of  the  Lamb 
of  God,  of  that  open,  benevolent  temper,  which  has 
ever  appeared  confpicuous  in  your  predeceffbr 
among  this  people,who  is  now  in  the  evening  of  life.' 

A  genuine  principle,  fpontaneoufly  producing 
the  fruits  of  righteoufnefs,  will  give  you  favour  in 
the  fight  of  God  and  man,  and  a  title,  through  the 
Redeemer,  to  a  blefled  future  inheritance. 

Go  forth  then  under  the  cheering  Lfluences  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs,  under  the  protection  of  the 
great  Shepherd ;  truft  in  him,  and  he  will  be  your 
Ihield,  and  exceeding  great  reward. 

And  now,  my  brethren  and  friends  of  this  Chrif- 
tian  Church  and  Society,  we  fincerely  congratulate 
you  upon  the  prefent  joyful  and  intereftingoccafion ; 
when  God  in  his  providence,  by  the  infirmities  of 
age,  has  caufed  your  venerable  Paftor  to  retire  from 
his  public  labours,  cordially  to  join  with  you  in  a 
re  fettlement  j  that  you  have  been,  with  fo  much 
unanimity,  directed  to  the  choice  cf  one,  in  whofe 
fidelity  we  have  reafon  to  rely,  to  take  the  over- 
fight  cf  this  flock,  and  to  direct  you  into  thofe 
paihs  of  truth  and  fafety,  which  lead  through  life, 
through  the  vale  of  death,  and  to  immortal  joys. 

Receive  him,  my  friends  a?  a  rich  prefent  from 
your  afcended  Lord-,  and  treat  him  accordingly. — 
You  are  not   to  expect  in  him,  perfection.     You 

have 


44  The  Right  Hand  of  MlOM)i^ 

have  this  treafure  in  an  earthen  veffel  j  he  is  fubjed 
to  likepojfions  with  yourfelves.  Treat  him,  there, 
fore,  with  candour,  with  affeftioa,  and  in  the  ex- 
ercife  of  chat  charity  which  bopetb  all  things.  And 
when  you  approach  the  throne  of  grace,  let  him 
have  a  place  in  your  minds,  that  through  your 
prayers  he  may  receive  blcffings  from  above. 

As  you  would  hope  for  the  fmi'lei  of  Heaven, 
cultivate  peace  and  friendfhip  among  yourfelves. 
Confult  the  general  good,  and  ever  be  ready,  in 
fmaller  matters,  to  agree  to  differ. 

Guard  againft  incendiaries,  efpecially  fuch  as 
are  veiling  themfelves  with  pretences  of  their  being 
of  forrie  particular  party  in  religion.  They  in  ge- 
neral  are  the  greateft  banes  in  fociety. Study 

therefore  thofe  things  which  make  for  peace,  and 
the  God  of  peace  will  be  with  you. 

May  the  bleffings  of  Heaven  dtfcend,  and  reft 
upon  you,  and  your  Paftor ;  animating  you  to  the 
moft  laudable  purfuits,  that  you  may  rapidly  pro- 
grefs  toward  perfection  here,  and  be  prepared  for 
thofe  regions  of  glory,  where  there  is  increafing, 
ceafelefs  light  and  joy,  and  where,  fhaded  by  the 
tree  of  life,  flow  rivers  of  perpetual  pleafure. 


.-•- 


